RESIDENTS at Bridge House care home in Bury have joined forces with a group of arty schoolchildren to create a mural that celebrates their personal histories.

Inspired by the theme of "life stories," the mural project has given residents of the Topping Fold Road home an opportunity to celebrate their lives and achievements, and artistically express their personalities.

The artwork produced is part of a long-term project run in partnership with East Ward Community Primary School and was unveiled during Care Home Open Day, alongside other art projects.

On the day, members of the local community, residents and their guests were able to view the impressive mural and were also invited to add a piece to a mosaic that is part of the Bridge House courtyard renovation.

The project has taken more than a year to plan, and four different groups of 24 children from the school in Willow Street attended a series of art sessions to complete the mural. As the result of their participation in the project, many of the children will be receiving an art award from Trinity College.

Alongside the art display, care home open day saw Bridge House host a raffle to raise money for the charity Afasic, which supports young people and parents of children living with speech, language and communication challenges.

Bridge House home manager, Marie Davenport, said: “The mural is a wonderful celebration of the life stories of residents, and the involvement from the community in delivering the project makes it even more special. It was fantastic to unveil it on Care Home Open Day.

“The colourful design of the mural has brightened up our courtyard, and we all look forward to enjoying it more during summer.”

Bridge House, part of the Embrace group, offers dementia care, elderly residential, day care and respite care to older people.